We were disappointed to learn last week that former Sunset Hills Mayor Bill Nolan has withdrawn his candidacy from the city’s April 5 mayoral election.

As first reported online by the Call last week, Nolan cited health concerns as the reason he petitioned the St. Louis County Circuit Court to have his name removed from the ballot.

A former Ward 1 alderman, Nolan first was elected mayor in 2010 and re-elected in 2012.

In 2014, Nolan was unopposed for re-election, but was defeated by Mark Furrer, who launched a write-in campaign for mayor two weeks before the April 8 election.

Nolan has a long history of distinguished service to the city of Sunset Hills, dating back to the early 1990s when he served on the city’s Revenue Study Committee.

Nolan’s two terms as mayor were highlighted by a number of accomplishments that benefited the city and its residents, including dealing with the category EF3 tornado with winds near 150 mph that ripped through Sunset Hills on Dec. 31, 2010.

Nolan’s professional demeanor was a stark contrast to what the city has endured under Furrer’s “leadership.”

In withdrawing from the race, we believe Nolan is making the right decision for himself and his family, and we wish him the best.

While he has withdrawn from the mayoral race, Sunset Hills residents will have no shortage of able candidates to succeed Furrer, who did not file for re-election.

With Nolan’s withdrawal, four candidates remain in the city’s mayoral race — Ward 4 Alderman Pat Fribis, Larry Chorosevic, Nathan Lipe and Gregory Nelson.

The Call’s Gloria Lloyd reports this week that 6th District County Councilman Kevin O’Leary, D-Oakville, will not seek re-election in November. O’Leary was elected last April to succeed County Executive Steve Stenger, who resigned as 6th District councilman when he was elected to the county’s top job.

While O’Leary said he enjoys serving as councilman and representing south county residents in Clayton, he said that he and his wife, Jan, have had health problems the last year that gave him second thoughts about running. He will continue to serve until Dec. 31 when his term expires.

Serving the 6th District is a huge and time-consuming responsibility.

We applaud O’Leary for stepping up to serve south county residents and wish him well in the future.